The blog for CR Inside. Much talk about all things CR Inside...

I am excited to have the opportunity to share with you what Celebrate Recovery Inside means to me.

With the exception of my first 6 months of incarceration, I have spent every available Monday evening at CRI meetings, since May of 2009. I already knew at that time that this sentence was going to save my life because I knew I couldn't survive forever doing drugs, although at that time, I thought I was invincible. I was thankful for having my life saved, but CRI took it much further than that. ?

I believe God has to sit me down for a minute if I was ever going to know Him. So, I stumbled along, reading the Word, learning to talk to Him. A friend in my dorm asked me to join CRI - we had to sign up for groups to stay in the Faith & Character dorm. Even after I found out I had to talk at group, I stayed. (They can't keep me quiet now!)?

CRI helped change who I was. I learned to forgive, to make amends and to let it go. My nightly habit of the daily inventory will forever be a part of my life. ?

CRI taught me that I am as worthy as the next person. What God did for you, He also did for me. Every promise God has made, He has made to me. I was already attempting to develop a relationship with God and I believe this relationship is stronger because of CRI. ?

CRI is my time for fellowship. We can't choose a service here so I fellowship with my group because that is where I feel surrounded by love and peace. It feels like a family, and the sponsor provided for us, to me, is the ultimate definition of grace. I look to her, I listen to her and I pray that I can become more like her.?

The volunteers have shown us that prison doesn't define who we are and they have helped me to turn my sentence into a positive experience. Without CRI, I would not be where I am today in recovery or in my relationship with God and all others. I am confident that because of the work I've done in CRI, when I walk out these prison gates, my life will be filled with hope, joy, with God and His grace. ?

I truly thank your church and everyone involved in the Celebrate Recovery Program. Thank you for bringing it inside the prison. I hope and pray that all inmates can experience CRI. It has changed my life and will always be a part of my life.